The Wallenpaupack American Junior Legion team got off to a rough start as it faced Milford on Wednesday at the Wallenpaupack Area High School field.

Post 311 came into this contest fresh off a doubleheader split with Moscow and Coach Todd Schmalzle’s squad was looking to build some momentum for the District 15 playoffs, which begin next weekend.

“I’m very pleased with the effort I saw out there,” said Coach Schmalzle. “We came out a little flat, but the kids really fought back,” said Coach Schmalzle. “They could have rolled over and quit, but they didn’t. I’m proud of them.”

Despite a furious lategame rally, the Toros came up short, dropping a 6-3 decision to the visitors. With the loss, Hawley’s overall record fell to 3-10.

Early Errors

On the hill for Hawley Wednesday was right-hander Mitch Guerreri.

A mild summer evening was heated up quickly by Milford who placed its first three batters on base and advanced them home through a combination of errors, passed balls and a sacrifice...before a line drive and a strikeout ended the top of the first.

Eight batters came and went before Guerreri rapped a single in the bottom of the second. Pavel Sprauge followed immediately with a walk advancing Guerreri.

Austin Gilpin then chased Guerrieri home with an RBI single before the side was retired by a strikeout from Milford starter Connor Lutz.

In spite of Hawley’s Chris Brindle’s stolen base in the bottom of the third, neither team managed to advance in the next two innings.

The score remained 3-1 in favor of Milford at the start of the fifth. A ground-out, fly-out,

and strikeout kept Milford at bay in the top half of the frame.

Then, with two out in the bottom of the fifth, Brindle advanced to first on an error and stole second before being driven in by a single from Dylan Broschart. Another strikeout by Lutz ended the inning with Hawley still behind by one.

Milford was held scoreless in the top of the sixth. A ground-out and two consecutive fly-outs sent them down in order before things heated up once again in the bottom of the sixth.

Leading off, Guerreri walked and then went on to steal second before being driven in again by Austin Gilpin, who was later forced out at home on a squeeze with the bases loaded.

Lutz gave up the mound to Zach Cerberville midway through the inning.

A groundball to Milford’s shortstop ended the nailbiting sixth inning, who threw out the batter on his way to first base.

The score was tied 3-3 at the start of the seventh. Williams led off with a double and went on to score before Cerberville connected with his second single of the night.

Page 2 of 2 - After walking the second batter, Aaron Hussan stepped in to relieve Guerreri. He got off to a rough start by walking the first batter he faced, loading the bases for Milford.

A two run single by Lutz drove in Cerberville and Bertsch. A fly to center and a strikeout finally put an end to Milford’s rally.

Last Gasp

Post 311 refused to go quietly in its last at-bat. Broschart singled and Wade Gilpin walked in the bottom of the seventh before Cerberville delivered strikeout.

Sprague, in his fourth at bat of the night, managed a single to load the bases for Hawley.

Cerberville scored yet another strikeout before a ground out finally put an end to the game, leaving Milford victorious by a score of 6-3.